Commentary: There are still reasons to give thanks

This week we celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. The first Thanksgiving occurred in 1621 and little documentation of that event survived to modern times. What we do know is that gathering almost 400 years ago was a way to recognize a good harvest and the survival of the still fragile and tenuous colony in Plymouth.

Today, I believe Thanksgiving remains a time for Americans to pause and be thankful for everything we have in this great country. Certainly, there is still much work that needs to be done to get millions back to work, get our fiscal house in order and grow our economy. Simply put, we are not where we should be right now.

But I firmly believe we still live in the freest, most powerful and most important country in the world. Every day we are blessed to have opportunities to improve our lives, our careers and our communities. I want to make sure all of the incredible opportunities we have are available to our children and grandchildren.

That is why I decided to run for office and that is what will continue to motivate me in my second term. I am grateful for the opportunity to play a part in the effort to get America back on track. I still think we can do it, so long as we work together. Everyone needs to come to the table with their ideas and their proposals. Only then can we begin the process of fixing what is wrong with America.

Like many of you, I have been following the events in Israel closely and with much concern. Over the last several weeks, hundreds of missiles have been fired at innocent Israeli citizens from the Gaza Strip, an area now controlled by Hamas. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and most of our allies. The recent indiscriminate rocket attacks certainly fit that bill.

[Article continues below]

The world community must denounce the nearly constant barrage of missiles being fired at Israel. No nation should be forced to deal with the attacks they are currently experiencing, and they absolutely have a right to defend themselves. Hamas must stop its missile attacks and renounce terrorism immediately.

I am proud to stand with Israel and against the terrorists who continue to target the Israeli people as they try to go about their daily lives. The ongoing problems between the Palestinians and the Israelis -and in the Middle East in general -- will not be solved with violence. The best possible outcome would be a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Just about everyone wants peace. Unfortunately, that cannot happen when one side continues to embrace terrorism.

U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci can be contacted via Facebook (facebook.com/repjimrenacci) and Twitter (twitter.com/repjimrenacci) and at his Canton office at 330-489-4414 or his Washington office at 202-225-3876.